The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-10-31
THE BOOK TABLE.

gives little insight INTO the real character
OF the novel, being the mere idle fancy OF
the girl heroihe Mrs. Wilson has chosen
an admirable theme upon which to erect
her structupnand developed it with char
acteristic originality. There is no real
character who envelops the work in dense
gloom by his or her audacious periidy, al
though the heroine creates one in her inn
agination at the beginning Of her career
The theme, crystalzed, is us follows; The
daughter Of wealthy parents marries against
their wishesand is disnheritcd. From her
union two children are born, boy and
girl. Their father dies, leaving his family
niserably destitute, and the mother az
fiicted in q way which requires surgical at
tcntion. The son falls victim TO wild
propensities and deserts his home in early
life, while the daughter, inheriting all her
mothers beauty, admirable traits and
lovely virtues, stands hcroically by her af-
flicted charge. In order 10 have
the surgical operation performed
she visits her grandfather and pleads
successfully for sufficient sum OF money,
but he relents no further than 10 add few
pieces of valuable icwclry to the gift.
While waiting for the railroad train on
which TO return home, the heroine wan
dcrs upon her grandlathcrs estate until
after nlghtiall, and h seen by young law
yer, son Of the old gcntlcman's regular
attorney. That night the grandfather
dies, and in such way as to leave not
the shadow OF doubt OF foul play.
Under the circumstances, suspicion falls
upon the girl and she is arrested immcdi-
ately upon arrival at the depot where she
leaves the train. just prior to taking pas
sage, she overhears gentleman inquiring
OF negro when the next train leaves. and
IL strongly impressed with the conviction
that the voice belongs 10 her long absent
brother. She hurrics 10 investigate, only
10 find the owner Of the voice gone and
the negro hastily departing Her arrest is
made ut the INSTANCE Of the young lawyer,
whom she met in her grandiathcr's lawn,
and Immediately formed strong aversion
for applying 10 him in her heart the name
Iiberlus. No pcrsistcntly, and with such
manifest sincerity, does she protest her in
noccncc, that the law-rrspccting attorney
changes his convictions, and, after
she has undergone brief spell
champion and protector. The trial
~ had, resulting in n verdict Of manslaugh-
ter The brother appears soon aitcrward,
entirely ignorant OF the death of his
mother, and only partially familiar with
the severe trials OF his sister. lie is rap
idly falling into the jaws OF death, and
conicsscs guilt ol stealing the grandfather 4
gold, and destroying the will which lac
l... II. l..
mother, and also clears up the mystery
surrounding las death. The old gentle
man, in resisting the midnight intruder,
assaults him with an andiron and falls
dead with an Rpoploctic III, or stroke Of
heart disease. All her trials are now over,
and she bcsidNts Her heart and hand upon
him who has shown 10 much devotion TO-,
aud undergone 80 many sacrifices for, her.
Those who havr read the earlier produc-
tions OF Augusta Evans, "Beulah, MA
caria,' "lnez, "St. Elmo" "Nashti,"
and "Infcliccy' know full well what to
expect from the ripper years and experience
OF the gifted aud purcmindcd authorcss.
Their anticipation will be more than real
lied. Her superior faculty for descriptive
writing and lucidiiy in dealing with plain
facts are charmingly blended In the nara.
tive. Published by q. W. Dillingham;,
New York, and sold in Memphis by X. NJ
Mansford. Prtcc, g. 'r
lfpopularty is proven by ready sale and
large demand, then MIR. Barnes, OF New
York, has struck Il 1T food.tide. Its au
thor. A. G. Guuter, has been most sue
ccssiul playwright, producing such sue
cesscs as prince Karl" "rhc Deacon,
Daughter" Fresh, the American" etc,
aud he fully understands lheart Of dramati,
situations, intensified climaxcs, and plots
full Of that thrilling scnstionalism that
carries both novels aud plays 90 an uti
mate success. Mr.. Guntcr has left nothing
undone IN his present volume 30 rouse the
readers interest Ia an all-night point.
Blackmorc, In "Clnn Vaughan" has
given Ms a touch Of the Corsican vendetta
n custom that overridcs all human inter,
csts, all social aud national laws, and
makes the avenger more beast than hu.
man. Gnnlcr LUIS made this vendetta the
groundwork of his story, and from the
opening duel Ia the tragic sccne in the
bridal chamber OF the Cosican girl, "a va.
rioty of inCidcris, both romantic and
trngic, engage the attention. Mr.. Barnes
Is n rich American, whose ample wealth
permits alpcdomOf movement that carries
him through all the capitals 81 Europe, and
he ~ equally vel known IN Paris, Vienna,
London and Monaco, ~ la his native city.
Tie X not u happy type oi an American.
lie lacks that qu.ckncSs oi dcrisiun, that
cquipoisc that " strictly characteristic oi
the cultivated American. There are many
discrepancies IN the story, both in the con.
gtuction and In the elaboration. For in.
stance. the marriage oi Girard, protest.
ant, To Marina, a Catholic. in the Catho.
lie church without proper dlspcnsation.
This could mover have happcrcd.
The story, while interesting. l. not we'll
written. Great gaps are noticeable. while
some of the characters nrc not sustained.
The humor IN furnished by a Young miS-
ui eleven; who claims Ia be- thirteen wears
old, hut never 10 have been known hut
eleven birthdays, her widowed mother
being unwilling "a acknowledge the thir-
trcnth year. Maud Chortris Il a hnrum
-rnrum child who secs the world through
older ulasScs, and draws her conclusions
accordingly No doubt "Mr Barncs. of
New York" will DE- lrimitizrl. and next
SEASON will witness successful run of
what hH been asuorcssiul book.
The concluding chapters u Mr.. Howclls'
story, april llepr' contained in IIar-
pcr's Magazine for November, have not
Justified the "hbPcs' which the readers
entertained at the opening chapter. Al.
mivn ol Mr. ll6wclk have read this serial.
striving In each number 10 find that faint
reflex II genius That they feel convinced
he possesses, while THE curious have FOL.
lowed the story IN. . vain attempt to do
him Justice II M ldcrnrd Il. That both
III ILran ,.lns....I hnNn lIil.n Ia Ill. Il.